Artistic Director

Meet Simon Holt

“Opera. I love it! But even more I love being with an organization that’s a hot spot for artistic happenings. Where young artists get opportunities to sing together, and the support and encouragement they need to excel in their careers. Volunteers have the fun of peeking behind the scenes and adding their gifts to the performance. Adults learn and school kids discover a whole new world of magic. Likeminded organizations and supporters partner with us. And they and audiences of all ages open their hearts to the outpouring of commitment and talent required to produce fantastic art, and come together for the sake of creating a rich, glorious experience and community we can all share. It’s very exciting!” Simon D. Holt, Music Director

Artistic Director Simon D. Holt has been Salt Marsh Opera's Music Director since its inception in 2000 and became Artistic Director in 2005. He has conducted numerous operas, operettas and musicals throughout his career, is a sought-after performer in the eastern United States, and has recorded and produced several CDs.

A graduate of The Royal College of Music, London, and Goldsmith's College, University of London, he was a prizewinner at The Royal College of Organists in London. His credentials include four diplomas, two in performance and two in teaching.

Prior to joining Salt Marsh Opera, Mr. Holt was Music Director of the Bristol Cathedral School Choral Society, the Bromsgrove Choral Society and the Birmingham University Chorus and Orchestra, with venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Bristol Cathedral. He was also Music Director at Bristol Cathedral School.

As an organist, he has performed in Westminster Abbey, York Minster, Selby Abby, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Reading Town Hall and the cathedrals of Norwich, Carlisle, Portsmouth, Wells, Canterbury, Rochester and Gloucester. Mr. Holt has toured extensively in Europe performing at St. Mark's in Venice, Sacré Coeur and Notre Dame in Paris, and venues in Holland, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Switzerland. He has appeared several times on British and American radio and television.

Drawn to Stonington Borough’s idyllic setting, in 1999 he and his family moved to Connecticut, where he became Director of Music and Organist at Calvary Church. He founded and served as Director of Calvary Music School and The Anglican Singers, a New London, Conn., based chorus. He also served as Director of Music in School at St. Thomas Choir School in New York City, and was Head of Music and Chair of Fine Arts at Saint James Episcopal School in Hagerstown, Maryland. He is currently the Executive Director of the United Theater in Westerly, Rhode Island.